Legislature(2011 - 2012)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/06/2012 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB142 | |
| HB 118 | |
| HB198 | |
| HB180 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 142 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 180 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 198 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 118 | TELECONFERENCED | |
3:13:48 PM HOUSE BILL NO. 180 "An Act authorizing the Department of Administration to note a person's status as a veteran on the person's driver's license and to provide certain information to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs." Co-Chair Thomas MOVED to ADOPT proposed committee substitute for HB 180, Work Draft 27-LS0589\T, (Luckhaupt, 2/6/12). Co-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED for purpose of discussion. REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, SPONSOR, spoke in support of House Bill 180. He read the sponsor statement: House Bill 180 seeks to help Alaska veterans receive more of the benefits they have earned through their sacrifice and service in uniform, and to which they were entitled by law and custom. It would allow the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to add information to state drivers' licenses or identification cards signifying the holder's status as a veteran, and would allow DMV to share that information with the state's veterans benefit office. Alaska is among the most veteran-friendly states in the Union. Many businesses and organizations demonstrate their appreciation by offering various discounts, preferences and other benefits to bona fide veterans. However, veterans must usually prove they qualify by presenting certified copies of their discharge documents - the DD-214, DD-215, or NGB-22 forms, exposing these critical documents to wear, damage or loss. By giving veterans a way to carry reliable and convenient proof of their status on state-issued cards, this bill would help them more easily enjoy the full range of personal, business and social benefits offered to them by a grateful state. HB 180 could also help relieve the situation in which tens of thousands of Alaska veterans may be missing out on significant government benefits, because they have no contact with the state's Office of Veterans Affairs. The bill would allow the DMV to provide the names and addresses of those who were issued veteran- designated driver's licenses or ID cards to the state veterans' office. That office could then reach out to make more veterans aware of programs available to them, and to help them receive any benefits owed to them. Representative Saddler outlined changes from CSHB 180 (STA) to version X: · Page 1, line 9: Adds "at the request of the person" before "The department shall…" This would allow for the veterans opt-in provision for information to go to the U.S. Office of Veterans Affairs for identification cards. · Page 2, line 1 : Adds "with the approval of the person" before "The department shall…" This would allow for the veterans opt in provision for information to go to the U.S. Office of Veterans Affairs for the driver's license. · Page 2 line 8 : Adds "at the request of the person" before "the department shall…" · Page 2, Lines 16-19: Adds language allowing for a $5 fee for the driver's license replacement with the veteran designation, which is a change from a $15 replacement fee. This would cover the department's expense without additional revenue. · Page 2, Lines 13-14: Adds "with the approval of the applicant" and provides that the department "shall make available" [provide] the name and address…" This makes sending information from the Division of Motor Vehicles to the U.S. Office of Veterans Affairs for the opt-in provision. · Page 2, Line 20: changes effective date from 2012 to "2013". 3:17:51 PM Co-Chair Stoltze WITHDREW his OBJECTION. There being NO further OBJECTION, committee substitute for HB 180, Work Draft 27-LS0589\T, (Luckhaupt, 2/6/12) was adopted. 3:18:50 PM RON SIEBELS, MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of the legislation. He stressed the benefits of the legislation and the importance the state recognition of veterans. CHRIS NELSON, MULDOON (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 180. He noted the high unemployment rate among recently returned veterans, which was higher than the national unemployment rate. Several governmental jurisdictions were instituting veterans' hiring preference along with unions and private employers that were actively recruiting veterans. He stressed the importance of easy identification and noted that the service discharge papers were cumbersome and included more information than needed by an employer. 3:21:04 PM Co-Chair Thomas questioned where the designation would be on the license and suggested an American flag could be added to the background. RIC DAVIDGE, PRESIDENT, VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 180. He stressed that the identification of veterans on state ID's was a national priority. He stressed the need to contact veterans in regards to medical conditions. He pointed to congressional directives to seek out veterans for services. The legislation would also allow a uniform ID for veterans to obtain services for disabilities, discounts, and employment applications. 3:24:52 PM SUSAN GORSKI, EAGLE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CHUGIAK (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 180. She observed that the legislation would facilitate veterans with other public services and prevent the need to carry discharge papers. Co-Chair Stoltze noted the high density of veterans in his district, which was double the national average. 3:27:11 PM VERDIE BOWEN, DIRECTOR VETERANS AFFAIRS, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), testified in support of HB 180. He observed that not all veterans received a medical care card from U.S. Office of Veterans Affairs (VA); only veterans that receive care at the VA received a card. Only 30,000 veterans were registered at the VA. He felt the legislation would facilitate identification of veterans. 3:28:40 PM Representative Neuman asked if veterans should have to check to opt in or out with the VA. Mr. Bowen would prefer to be able to contact all veterans but stressed that receipt of the benefit on the license was the first priority. Representative Neuman noted an amendment might be necessary to ensure the protection of a veteran's privacy. 3:30:23 PM Representative Saddler agreed with Representative Neuman's concern and observed an amendment might be needed to delete "with the approval of the person" and to insert "unless the person objects." Co-Chair Stoltze noted that amendments would be taken up at the next hearing and acknowledged the need to protect veterans' privacy. Representative Guttenberg asked if the list of veterans was available to service agencies for notification of benefits only. Mr. Bowen affirmed that the provision was included through the PFD application. Currently, 3,400 had checked the veteran's box; the majority of addresses were for military installations. 3:32:07 PM Representative Saddler felt privacy was protected and had no objection to the current version. Representative Gara asked if the Alaska National Guard was included. Mr. Bowen affirmed. 3:33:17 PM STACY OATES, ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER, DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION (via teleconference), provided information on the legislation. She observed that the administration was neutral regarding the legislation but cautioned that the legislation would open the door to the addition of other designators. She maintained that the purpose of the license was to provide proof of the ability to drive and the proof of identity for law enforcement purposes. There would be additional revenue from the initial enactment. She observed that wait time at Division of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices might be impacted. She estimated that fifty percent of qualified veterans would opt for the designator within the first year, which was reflected in the fiscal note. 3:35:25 PM Representative Edgmon referred to the fiscal note and observed that it was unclear whether DMV would collect the standard fees for driver's licenses. Co-Chair Stoltze asked if the department had a position on the organ donor designation. Ms. Oates could not answer. 3:37:14 PM Representative Wilson spoke to the estimated wait time at DMV's. Ms. Oates could not determine the real effect on wait times, but noted that individuals would have to apply in person. Representative Wilson reiterated concern with wait times at DMV offices. Ms. Oates acknowledged that wait time varied. 3:39:03 PM Vice-chair Fairclough expressed support for the legislation with a provision to opt-out. She asked that the committee be provided information relating to the Real ID Act and the effect on Alaskans. Representative Saddler noted that the fiscal note was based on the $15 replacement charge and would need to be updated to reflect the change to $5. He observed that the right to privacy was protected in version T on page 2, line 1. 3:41:18 PM Co-Chair Thomas observed that the fiscal note contained 160 design hours to accommodate the designation. He reiterated the possibility of placing a flag in the background [as a designation]. Ms. Oates could not respond. Co-Chair Thomas reiterated that a flag would be an appropriate identifier. Co-Chair Stoltze expressed disappointment with the administration's neutral position. 3:43:35 PM Co-Chair Stoltze asked if the 160 contract hours could be quantified. Ms. Oates noted it would be $143 dollars at 160 hours ($22,880). Vice-chair Fairclough concurred that a US flag would be a fitting backdrop. Vice-chair Fairclough MOVED to ADOPT reduce the contact costs for design in the fiscal note by $33 thousand. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 3:46:49 PM Representative Costello MOVED to ADOPT a conceptual amendment: before "designation" insert "United States flag" on page 1, line 9 and page 2, line 8. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. 3:48:41 PM Co-Chair Thomas MOVED to report CSHB 180(FIN) out of Committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying revised fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. CSHB 180(FIN) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new fiscal impact note by the House Finance Committee for the Department of Administration.